Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb archaic Past participle of help.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English holpen, yholpen from Old English ġeholpen, past participle of helpan "to help". More at help.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word holpen.

Examples

  • "holpen" denotes properly, to take hold of one, to help him up when he is in danger of falling, and here means that God had succoured his people when they were feeble, and were in danger of falling or being overthrown.

    Barnes New Testament Notes 1949

  • He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for e

    Archive 2009-06-01 bls 2009

  • To kicken hys arse, for tryinge to holpen the geeks.

    From The BSNYC Culture Desk: Art and Transience BikeSnobNYC 2008

  • Jim, I actually had to look up what holpen meant...

    From The BSNYC Culture Desk: Art and Transience BikeSnobNYC 2008

  • Anon 11:01 - I'm swyvven impressed you looked up holpen, ya little coillen.

    From The BSNYC Culture Desk: Art and Transience BikeSnobNYC 2008

  • For otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlooked for; and ever it mends some, and pairs others; and he that holpen, takes it for a fortune, and thanks the time; and he that is hurt, for a wrong, and imputeth it to the author.

    The Essays 2007

  • Nay, the majesty of kings, is rather exalted than diminished, when they are in the chair of counsel; neither was there ever prince, bereaved of his dependences, by his counsel, except where there hath been, either an over – greatness in one counsellor, or an over – strict combination in divers; which are things soon found, and holpen.

    The Essays 2007

  • And now this is the last word: here is a horn of oliphant which thou shalt wear about thy neck, Birdalone; and if thou be sore bestead, or thy heart faileth thee, blow in it, yet not before the onfall; and then, whether thou blow much or little, thou shalt be well holpen.

    The Water of the Wondrous Isles 2007

  • These words (holpen a little with a metaphor) may express two differing abilities, in those that deal in business of estate.

    The Essays 2007

  • O God, who by the resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ didst vouchsafe to give gladness unto the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, being holpen by the Virgin Mary, his Mother, may attain unto the joys of everlasting life; through the same Christ our Lord.

    Archive 2006-04-01 Fr Timothy Matkin 2006

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Archaic past. part. of "help": "He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy."

    July 25, 2008

  • When the wor(l)ds of help, hope, open, and gulp collide (collude?).

    July 25, 2008